Last Minute Departure on a Home Exchange
Things are getting short here and there is still a lot to do, as AlteCocker will soon be leaving for home exchanges #56-59 in Europe. As is true before almost every home exchange, a major problem was discovered just before take off. This time the basement flooded after major rain--and homeowner's insurance does not cover basement floods. Fortunately, she purchased a water vacuum years ago. It went unused until the flood. She got to the mess in time to keep up with it before it did major damage. That did not mean that there was not a major construction project afterward--because there was. Thousands of dollars. Don't ask, but no more floods please--and no problems when AlteCocker is away. However, this summer's exchangers will see that the room that had the flood still needs reconstruction. That will wait until AlteCocker returns and has time to choose new tile and decide exactly what to do with the room with the problem.
AlteCocker's message will be changed on her cellphone because she will be leaving it for her exchangers and using their phones. Since she works from home, it is important that people know how to contact her at all times. Email is great for that due to the time difference!
Yes, AlteCocker gets nervous before a home exchange--just as she does before any trip. There is an added level of anxiety about worrying if the house for which she am exchanging actually exists and the keys she has will work when she gets there. The keys have always worked but AlteCocker is always a bit anxious. So, first timers, if you are anxious, be assured, everyone is.
AlteCocker is not, however, home exchanging with strangers because numerous emails have been exchanged back and forth. While she may never meet her exchangers, AlteCocker certainly knows them at least a little. Moreover, she knows that someone will be in her house while she is gone gone. She is, therefore, less worried about burglars. An occupied house is safer.
So, AlteCocker will get busy running the dishwasher one last time, doing laundry and filling the gas tank to leave my exchangers with a full tank in my Prius for a good start on visiting Washington, DC.
As she leaves, AlteCocker asks all of you to follow my adventure on this website. She will be blogging the trip--although perhaps not every day depending upon wifi access.
AlteCocker's message will be changed on her cellphone because she will be leaving it for her exchangers and using their phones. Since she works from home, it is important that people know how to contact her at all times. Email is great for that due to the time difference!
Yes, AlteCocker gets nervous before a home exchange--just as she does before any trip. There is an added level of anxiety about worrying if the house for which she am exchanging actually exists and the keys she has will work when she gets there. The keys have always worked but AlteCocker is always a bit anxious. So, first timers, if you are anxious, be assured, everyone is.
AlteCocker is not, however, home exchanging with strangers because numerous emails have been exchanged back and forth. While she may never meet her exchangers, AlteCocker certainly knows them at least a little. Moreover, she knows that someone will be in her house while she is gone gone. She is, therefore, less worried about burglars. An occupied house is safer.
So, AlteCocker will get busy running the dishwasher one last time, doing laundry and filling the gas tank to leave my exchangers with a full tank in my Prius for a good start on visiting Washington, DC.
As she leaves, AlteCocker asks all of you to follow my adventure on this website. She will be blogging the trip--although perhaps not every day depending upon wifi access.